Tuesday Newscast: New COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Lynn, Peabody and Revere; Salem Mayor Praises Reopening Efforts

Hi, this is Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken sharing news about phase 2 reopening plans.

As of today, Monday, June 8 the following are able to reopen as part of step one, phase 2:

• Restaurants, which are now allowed to offer outdoor dining options, in addition to their takeout and delivery services.
• Retail spaces, which are now allowed to have limited in-store customers.
• Golf facilities, including on-site outdoor restaurants and pro-shops
• Operators of Lodging, including hotels, motels and other lodging businesses
• Outdoor recreation, including parks, athletic fields, open space and outdoor education programs.
• Hospitals and community health providers are now allowed to offer less-urgent preventative care, such as teeth cleanings, vision services and certain elective non-urgent procedures.

The City is now accepting temporary outdoor seating permit applications.  My administration will work with restaurant owners to navigate the new procedures, ensure the health and safety of employees and customers, and expedite the process.  We are excited about the opportunities this presents for Gloucester business owners.  Thank you for your continued support of our local businesses as we help them navigate through reopening phases.

City playgrounds will be open to the public by the end of this week.  Play structures are not cleaned or disinfected so although available residents should use at their own risk. Please remain diligent about hand washing and/or sanitizing before and after playground use.

Step two of phase 2, with an unknown start date at this time, will allow for the reopening of such industries as nail salons, message therapy, tattoo parlors and tanning salons.Restaurants will also be allowed to offer indoor dining.  For more information on reopening plans, including restrictions and protocols in place, please visit mass.gov.

Phase 2 update on Gloucester Beaches & Stage Fort Park:  Good Harbor and Wingaersheek Beaches are now both open to residents and a limited number of non-residents, at a reduced capacity.  Stage Fort Park remains open to the public.

Resident parking is available with a 2019 or 2020 beach parking sticker or license and motor vehicle registration showing a Gloucester address.  At Niles and Plum Cove Beaches, if residents do not have last year’s beach sticker and are still waiting for this years’ sticker they should put their motor vehicle registration showing a Gloucester address on their dashboard to avoid being ticketed.

Beach visitors are required to set up at least 12 feet apart from other groups on their towels, limit groups to no more than 10 people; wear face coverings or masks when unable to maintain a 6’ distance from others (except when swimming), and carry in, carry out trash.

It is not the responsibility of city staff, lifeguards or police to enforce social distancing or the wearing of masks and face coverings. If it becomes clear that social distancing and other guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is not being followed, we may need to close or further limit access to our beaches and Stage Fort Park.

For now, it is clear that you are all doing your part in our fight against COVID-19.  With your help we have made progress in reducing the transmission of this virus and getting our local economy up and running again.  As of Friday, 179 Gloucester residents had recovered from the coronavirus. This represents nearly three quarters of Gloucester cases to date.  But, we’re not out of the woods yet and sadly, 22 Gloucester residents have died from this awful virus. Those individuals – and their family, friends, and neighbors – are constantly in my thoughts.

We must all continue to take the following steps to keep each other safe:  wear a mask or face covering when out in public and unable to maintain a physical distance of 6’ from others, wash our hands and high touch surfaces frequently, and stay home if we’re are sick.

Last week there were two demonstrations in our community where hundreds attended to stand in solidarity to end racial injustice.  These have been powerful, inspiring and peaceful events.  I’m proud of this community for standing up demanding long overdue change.  I see you, hear you and I am determined to listen, to learn, and to start a dialogue with all of you on accountability, racial inequity and social justice.

Thank you.